3 Description of ProjectArizona’s project is designed to expedite reunification of children who are placed in out-of-home care through intensive in-home and aftercare services.

4 Description of ProjectTarget population are children who are:in out-of-home placement for no more than 9 months;in congregate care or licensed foster care settings;for whom reunification is a case goal; andfor whom the juvenile court concurs with a case plan of expedited reunification

5 Description of ProjectLocated in Maricopa County Child Protective Services officesImplementation in two phasesPhase 1 began in April 2006Phase 2 began in January 2008

6 Project OutcomesReduce children’s length of stay in congregate and licensed foster care settings.Decrease the likelihood of re-entry into out-of-home care.Prevent the recurrence of child abuse and neglect.Improve family-well being and functioning.

7 Program Components Child and Family TeamsHome Based Strategies and InterventionsFlexible FundingRole of the child protection services worker andwaiver service provider

8 Child and Family Teams Provides strength based framework forreunificationTeam includes everyone involved in thecaseThe team is responsible for allassessment, planning, interventionand aftercare phases of the reunificationprocess

9 Home Based Strategies and InterventionsArray of services provided based onneeds identifiedMinimum of 6 hours per week offace-to-face contact with clientsIntensive visitation between parent (s)and childrenOne provider for all services, monitoringand coordination

15 Primary Caregiver Characteristics94% mothers85% Caucasian24% Hispanic or Latina/o9% African American2% American Indian33.8 years of age (avg)16 to 69 years of age (range)

16 Target Child Characteristics55% males  45% females86% Caucasian28% Hispanic or Latina/o13% African American2% American Indian7.2 years of age (avg)1 to 17 years of age (range)

17 Safety Related OutcomesIs there a reduction in the recurrence of child abuse and neglect?

18 Permanency Related OutcomesIs the time in out-of-home placement reduced?

19 Reentry Into Out-of-Home PlacementIs there a reduction in subsequent out-of-home placements?

20 Child and Family Well-BeingIs there an increase in overall family well-being and functioning?

21 Summary and AccomplishmentsFull implementation of project within nine months of waiver approvalOver 100 children from 88 eligible cases received waiver servicesA higher percentage of waiver cases (43%) reunified than comparison cases (17%) for new cases July 1, 2006 and afterImprovements in selected child and family domains for existing waiver families